Its Raining…
God’s Cleansing Tool
Cloud-Concerto… How Cool !
Plop-Plop Plopping into Pothole Pools
On the Grass, Pavements and On My Own-Sweet- Fools…
who, don’t have Sense enough, to get out of the Rain…
… I think I’ll go Join Them… Again
Amen

A solitary piece the diamond
precious rare gem most treasured
by those lucky enough to hold
Once in possession it is rarely out of grasp
Like the gemstone the mother
requires very specific conditions
in holding fast her (family/) childrens love
Treasured forever in her heart
she will go out of her way
to preen and protect them
holding them dear to her
deep within her maternal safe – the heart
closely guarded by the mind
Her infatuation of all treasures to her
are totally understandable
especially when you think to the complexity
of structure and process taken in creation
Just as from the ‘unbreakable’ in ancient greek
this allotrope of carbon
with strength of bonding between atoms
is representative of that strong love
between mum and child
The maternal being could be compared
to the superlative physical qualities of the stone
Even the characteristic luster
of this gem so prevalent from its ability
to disperse light and colour
compared to the many strengths
roles and qualities of the mother
seen by the many she deals with daily
A most high pressured job
versus the high pressured temperature
within the Earths mantle
that forms the delightful rock it gives birth to
Infants delight and ignite the forbearer
just as the jewel would dazzle the room
a mother’s love encaptures the magical luster
of those she’s birthed and nothing
stands inbetween this richest of cargo’s

Here further down the hillside slope
Down close to the creek with hope
My husband bought a house, land
Fenced in and made many plans
Subdued the land to cow pasture
And planted a garden, fruit trees sure
Fathered another child to call him sir
The creek seemed to like the stir
Enjoyed the children for a little while___
Loved them so that it made her smile
Today she loves grandchildren the same
No girls there are in frills ___tame
The creek keeps on flowing to the sea
The land is mostly stripped of trees
(This is my adaptation of Robert Frost's poem "The Birthplace". I hope that it does not insult
his work.)

One moist patch, like dewy grass,
surrounded by a field of weeds,
emerges first and breathes at last,
through openings, the air it needs.
Cut off from, and cut off of;
counting on, and counting in;
from down below, to up above -
A smack on tender, crimson skin.
There is a pulse.
One spring bud, like seedling stems,
surrounded by a garden wall,
is standing out from all of them,
despite the fact, they're just as tall.
And though the bud has not yet grown,
the soil and the water see
more than just the seed they've sewn.
They see the flower it will be.
There is a pulse.
One tall stem, like climbing vines,
surrounded by its petals' plumes,
shares its elegant designs,
and stretches as it blooms.
And when the wind begins to call,
the flower spreads it's pollen 'round.
It falls in love, and loves in fall,
and falling love renews the ground.
There is a pulse.

He ran away to chase his dreams
Short of a miracle was it not?
Yet the winds of change roared strongly at night
Enter- the fierce winds of time
It will be you alone.
As you dance, I cry
Blow the flowers toward me
Free to drown me now.
Like a DJ on steroids,
I won't allow you to slice through my heart anymore,
My beautiful daughter, Windstream.
John Monteblanco
Nature, Four In One

Enter a storybook tale
Where I can be
The heroine you hail
Lucid dreams of soft reflection
A touch heated with lust and desired protection
A breathe a gasp as we succeed
Join the fairytale with me
Valiant night within dark eyes
the right movement and I make them shine
like moonlight on the steamy hot spring
care to follow for a little dip with me
Trailing like the water at my fingertips
Grasp me around my hips
As close as the breeze on my skin
Whisper lies as I let you in
Lips mumbling up my thighs
bare heart exposed to the sky
fire burning in my veins
Am I a mistress of this lust or simply a slave
Trembling with desire
Take me till we've lost count of the hours
enter this storybook tale
Where I can be the heroine you hail

Extraordinary, I am
Craving for unusual thoughts
Endless exploration without boundary
Understanding the gift I shouldn't fought
Invisible drawings in my mind
Playing with the words in my head
My passion
The food of my soul
I feel so lucky
The random thoughts
A lifetime companion
A self esteem builder
A goal planner
Be my forever life saver
I write more
I talk less
I want to please
I chose to bore
What tickles me the most
Is to know what I'm for
Thinking is my love
When my mind goes empty
That's when I hate
My day dreaming lust
Organizing things in my mind
Playing roles of simulation
Where images of art is my vision
And words of attitude is my heart

I sit here in the park amidst a carpet of green speckled with buttercups and daisies
A pale blue sky above ceilings my room as I close my eyes
as I open my ears to the Summer sounds surrounding me
Buzzing encircles me as bumble bees in picnic mode
collect the rich nectar from the sporadic yellows and whites
To my left in the distance I hear the distinct sound of children playing in the parks
swimming pool
Shriek's that would cut glass are consumed by the vast expanse
Water splashing resonates through the air as if carried on the Summer breeze
Chimes appear from the distance as a frenzy of screams shout
Mam, dad it's the ice cream van
Suddenly a quietness descends as I picture children and adults
licking their ice cream nectar like thirsty hungry bees
To my right I hear the distinctive grunts of my daughter and her friend
emulating Flushing Meadow on the local tennis courts
The odd yell of congratulations from watching spectators breaks the scene
As I turn my head again in radar like fashion I zoom in on the aviary where gorgeous
budgies are kept
I can picture their greens, yellows and blues through my closed eyelids
This little community chirp endlessly as they flutter in organised commotion
Delights of aw echo across the flower beds as they are absorbed in my
consciousness
Modern man interrupts this tranquil scene as metal birds noisily
roar overhead whilst bodied engines reverberate reminding us of the mechanical
world we live in
My own little world this Summers afternoon comes to an end as my daughter and her
friend return with vociferous tones
I open my eyes as normality returns
We gather our belongings as we head of home listening to the cacophony of modernism

OUR BABY GIRL TURNS 21
ON 1ST JULY 1990~ THE ANGELS DID SOMETHING ALMIGHTY
FROM HEAVEN THEY SENT US OUR LIFE-LONG DESIRE-A PRECIOUS DAUGHTER TO LOVE AND ADMIRE.
TRUE TO YOUR NATURE YOU ARRIVED WITHOUT FUSS OR PAIN--THE FIRST TIME OUR EYES MET WE KNEW OUR LIVES WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME
AS A BABY AND TODDLER YOU MADE US SO PROUD
YOUR VERY LONG HAIR, GREEN EYES AND SMILE-
ALL THOSE GOOD LOOKS MADE YOU STAND OUT IN A CROWD
YOU STARTED TALKING EARLY WITH MANY VOICEPRINTS
YOUR CHARM AND GOOD LOOKS HAVE NOT STOPPED SINCE
YOU LOVED YOUR DOLLS AND PRAMS-- DREAMT OF BEING A “SINGER”
AND VERY QUICKLY LEARNED HOW TO WRAP YOUR DAD AROUND YOUR LITTLE FINGER
YOUR BIG BROTHER DEVON--BEST FRIEND AND PROTECTER
MOST OF THE TIME YOU GOT ON PERFECTLY TOGETHER
FROM AN EARLY AGE YOU SHOWED YOUR LOVE OF SWIMMING
AGE TWO AND A HALF YOU WERE ABLE AND WILLING
TO SWIM UNDER WATER AND DO MANY LENGTHS
THIS WAS CLEARLY ONE OF YOUR SPORTING STRENGTHS
AT AGE THREE YOU COULD BARELY WAIT TO START PLAYSCHOOL
“MISS INDEPENDENCE”, WAS YOUR GENERAL RULE
THE SLIDE AND JUNGLE GYM WERE YOUR FAVOURITE SPOTS
AND TO OUR HORROR YOU WOULD CLIMB RIGHT TO THE TOP!
AT AROUND THIS TIME, YOUR FIRST BOYFRIEND YOU MET-
HE LIVED NEXT DOOR, AND HIS NAME WAS BRETT
SOON IT WAS TIME FOR PRE-SCHOOL
YOU LOVED YOUR TEACHER--YOUR NEW FRIENDS WERE COOL
‘SPRING BONNETS’ AND THE END OF YEAR SCHOOL PLAYS
THE TEDDY BEAR CLASS GAVE YOU SOME REAL SPECIAL DAYS
NEXT WAS ‘BIG SCHOOL’ AND YOUR FIRST CLASS
WE WERE SERIOUSLY ANXIOUS BUT FOR YOU JUST ANOTHER ‘MISS INDEPENDENCE’ TASK
LETTERLAND, MATHS AND LEARNING TO READ
YOU EXCELLED AT ALL THAT WITH INCREDIBLE SPEED
YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS CONTINUED THROUGH GRADES 2, 3 AND FOUR
YOUR PLACE IN THE SWIMMING TEAM HELPED YOUR SCHOOL WIN MORE
OUR MOVE TO AUSTRALIA… SAD FAREWELLS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR PETS
BUT, GREAT EXCITEMENT YOU FELT AT ADVENTURES TO BE MET
A NEW SCHOOL--“METHODIST LADIES COLLEGE”
NEW FRIENDS--JUMPING A GRADE-- MET WITH SUCH POSITIVE COURAGE
YOU MADE US SO PROUD IN THE WAY YOU ADAPTED
MRS. WILLIAMSON SAID YOU WERE THEIR NEW CLASS ‘ASSETT’
.
THE ‘MR BEE’ SPELLING AWARD AND MANY MERITS LATER
WE ALL GOT HOMESICK-- BUT YOUR POSITIVE NATURE DID NOT WAVER
THE DECISION WE MADE TO RETURN TO CAPE TOWN
CAUSED YOU HEARTBROCKEN TEARS AND A PERMANENT FROWN
ONCE AGAIN A SAD FAREWELL TO YOUR NEW FOUND FRIENDS
RETURNING TO S.A. FOR OLD ONES TO MAKE AMMENDS
IT WASN’T VERY LONG THAT YOU PICKED UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF AT ALL
ADDED TO YOUR TALENTS WERE NOW TEAM HOCKEY AND NETBALL
AS YOU APPROACHED THE FIRST OF YOUR TEEN YEARS
WITH YOUR LOOKS AND CHARM, INEVITABLY THE BOYFRIENDS WOULD APPEAR
SHOPPING, MOVIES AND MANY PARTY SLEEP-OVERS
CHOOSING TRUE FRIENDS AND DUMPING THE LOSERS
DANCE SHOWS AND DANCING EXAMS… YOU EXCELLED AT HIP- HOP
FUN AND OF COURSE THE DESIRE TO SHOP
THE END OF JUNIOR SCHOOL-- THE FINAL ASSEMBLY—AWARDS
TROPHIES FOR SPORTSMANSHIP AND YOUR S.R.C. PRIZE GOT MANY APPLAUDS
SAD FEELINGS AT LEAVING YOUR OLD SCHOOL BEHIND
EXCITEMENT AT STARTING HIGH SCHOOL WOULD SOON COME TO MIND
NO PROBLEM TO YOU, IT WAS ALL JUST A BREEZE
AS YEAR BY YEAR YOU CONTINUED TO ACHIEVE
SWIMMING AND ‘A’ TEAM HOCKY MATCHES ON THE ASTRO TURF
YOU EVEN STARTED TO LEARN HOW TO SURF
FRIDAY AFTERNOON CHRISTIAN MEETINGS AND EVENING CHURCH YOUTH
WE WERE SO HAPPY YOU FOUND GOD AND HIS TRUTH
THE REST OF HIGH SCHOOL PASSED IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE WHILE
YOUR LIST OF ACHIEVEMENTS REMAINED EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH
YOUR ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS WERE ASTOUNDING
COPING WITH TOUGH SUBJECTS LIKE MATHS, SCIENCE AND ACCOUNTING
IN HOCKEY AND SWIMMING YOU MADE THE TOP TEAMS
NO SURPRISE AT ALL THAT SWIMMING COACHES MOVED IN ON THE SCENE.
THEY CULTIVATED YOUR TALENTS FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
EVERY YOUR NIGHT YOUR PASSION SAW YOU DOING MANY LENGTHS
WEEKENDS OF GALA’S AND NATIONAL SWIMMING
S.A.SHORT COURSE, YOUR P.B’S, AND FAIR SHARE OF WINNING
TOGETHER WE CELEBRATED YOUR PLACE IN W.P. SCHOOL CHAMPS THAT YEAR
SO PROUD OF OUR BEAUTIFUL SWIMMER ALWAYS AHEAD OF HER PEERS
.
FIRST YEAR AT UNIVERSITY YOU BECAME SO INDEPENDENT
STARTING YOUR STUDIES AS A B.Sc. STUDENT
IT WAS ALSO THE YEAR YOU LEARNED TO DRIVE
GOT YOUR LICENSE—DAD SPOILT YOU—NEW CAR—RESPLENDENT
YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN THE LORD STILL REMAINS FIRM
AS YOU WALK AND GROW SPIRITUALLY DAILY WITH HIM
SO MUCH HAS CHANGED, AND YET SOME THINGS REMAIN
YOU BEAUTY AND TALENTS SO EASILY MAINTAINED
YOUR LOVE OF SWIMMING AND OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN WATER
YOU KNOW WE WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR NO. 1 SUPPORTERS
AND NOW YOU ARE 21, SWEETHEART
YOUR WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF YOU-- TODAY IS JUST THE START
IT SEEMS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY THAT YOU WERE BORN—
OUR DAUGHTER~LOVES BRIGHT SHINING LIGHT~ WE ADORE
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND TALENTED IN EVERY WAY
WISHING YOU GOD’S RICHEST BLESSINGS ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY
HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY TO OUR BABY GIRL
TO HAVE YOU AS A DAUGHTER HAS BEEN A REAL PLEASURE
-YOU HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL BE OUR MOST BEAUTIFUL TREASURE-
(FOOTNOTE: OUR DAUGHTER WILL BE 23 THIS YEAR, HAS COMPLETED HER BSc. AND HONOURS DEGREE’S IN PHYSIOLOGY AND GENETICS AND NOW DOING HER MASTERS DEGREE IN EXERCISE SCIENCE. SHE IS ALSO A PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETE—DOING SWIMMING, CYCLING AND RUNNING AS ONE DISCLIPLINE)

The Breezes flowed through bright verdant meadows
the sky alight in blazing glory of azure and violet
the farmer on his tractor ploughs the field in farrows
pauses to watch the pretty maiden dressed all in scarlet
Golden ribbon in her hair, she brings him his lunch
they sit together in the sun chatting about this and that
as she collects the basket her father points out bunches
of multi coloured flowers down by the river near the muskrat
Her father back at work, she wanders down to the waters edge
picking a lovely posy of the wild flowers to give to her mother
trailing her fingers in the cool waters she lifts her skirt in a wedge
paddles in to cool her feet as it deepens she holds her skirt higher
What bliss to take some time to enjoy the scent of fresh turned earth
to drink in her surrounds and thinks how lucky she is living out here
keeping the age old traditions going, each season a time of rebirth
she heads off back to the farm liking that it is part of the final frontier

Special relationships are developed and strengthened over the years;
And those relationships reveal an obligation to fulfil when wisdom begins to knock during the tweens;
Oh what a shame, a shock, an ocean of tears brews like fresh coffee;
The aroma of unpleasant emotions desires to embrace the tide of positivity;
Hours of analyzing, wondering, weeping, twisting and turning;
The ray of hope from within crawls assuring that day would come where love, respect, and a big hug would return.
Every move, every thought, and every gesture seems deceiving from someone else’s perspective;
The battle to speak up or atleast share some distasteful sentiments to a near one were uneasy;
Every feeling seems cripple and a handicap;
Craving the desire of the kiss of sympathy, empathy, and aspiration became phony;
Determination, and the ambition to do it or make it right never faded;
Thus, the struggle to attain security from within first was the initial step.
A new day brought about a new learning that the power and natural sensation of maternal affiliation seemed insensitive, competitive, selfish, and unfair;
The joy and contentment of holding the baby in one’s arms was blurry and forgotten;
The result of feeling complete as a woman did not ring a bell nor the gratitude toward the Supreme power was acknowledged;
But, the cultivation of a new battle was instigated without notice;
The innocent tween was struggling with mind games with the assertive adult;
It was like a black magic being done when many things simply backfired.
Over the years, the achievements, praise, support, and love from people whom one would least expect from was given without any doubt;
Slowly trying to accept the fact that not everyone’s maternal relationship is normal or even a bed of roses;
However, the lucky ones receive a bundle of appraises, moral support, advice, a kiss on the cheek to show they matter;
The juggle between maternal and material relationship will be a long and awaited answer;
Till the last breath, the concerns over material possessions and security will be anyone’s concern because it is never easy to be happy with what you have knowing what you have may be distressful;
The weight of material and maternal affiliations still arises many questions, unwanted moments, and of course a salute to cherished occasions that anyone has undergone.

Hot, dry summer's day
Finally comes to an end
All the tree frogs come to play
Signaling a storm_my friend
The child screams out the window
Shut-up frog in the shadow
Thunder_lightning_quiet
Inspired by: Suzette Crous
Contest: A Grook For All Occasions
# 7_etc.

How may I describe the enchanting bride?
As my raven haired beautiful child who
has matured into a lovely young woman;
exuding charm and grace and the
sensibilities of a care giver yearning to please,
even the strangers she meets.
Her spirited nature makes her dark eyes sparkle
like the sea she works near; her moods are
mostly calm and reliable as the tides,
except for an occasional storm that may
suddenly appear leaving one drenched
by a cloud burst from a foreboding sky. . .
which quickly moves on with the swiftness
of an ambiguous March wind.
Her poetic personality affords her the ability
to pen her whimsical nature and fascination with
fairies with which she feels a vibrant connection.
Her love for her cat speaks well of a non-verbal
communication they both are content to share. . .
A way in which she also silently communicates
with her beloved husband to be, the handsome groom.
Here is a fine young man with exuberance and
a dashing personality that shines so brightly,
one needs to don sunglasses while in his presence.
His spirit of fun and laughter brings out the best in his
future bride, leaving little doubt they belong together.
He is on a positive path of intended growth he joyfully
embraces, ignoring the poor economy that might be daunting
to a less positive person whose dreams have no limit.
He is a man who appreciates the inner beauty of my
daughter as much as her outer beauty, thus he truly
understands her and her humbleness, they both possess.
A connection of great intellect, tender hearts with a generous
love for humanity would be the best way describe them both.
Both love to hike in nature and explore little known places.
Their ultimate goal would be to share their love with a child.
A happy couple indeed, on the verge of matrimony
in sharing a life filled with adventure and contentment.
May God Bless you both on your journey through life.
Note* My youngest, Michelle, will be married this Oct. 5th
to her sweet fiancé’ Daniel.
For “Epithalamium Contest by Dr. Ram Mehta”

Age of purity and innocence,
this time of change
meets a blooming maturity
Fulfilling form, stylising figure;
nature produces fine specimen
A time to play with hair and fashion
To perfect beauty,
applying make-up and perfumes
Bringing forth fresh radiance
Changing mood and attitude
A young lady, pleasing to the eye
stands before mankind
A budding beauty
ready to take on new life style
To seek, settle, nurture,
or give her all to career
Go-getter or jet-setter
her presence is felt near

This morning
bells toll
a trumpet sounds
but refuses to blare
it just doesn't know
how to harm
what it takes
to infect the living
trees
earth
and sound
survive sadness
out last the past
bond brothers and sisters
of sky
air
mud
and water
as it loses
to a force
some days...
this morning
it wins
because the vibration knows god
and is ONE
and though human imperfections
sit in the shadows of it's path
perfections will
and forever will
prevail
people
so arrogant
we choose to destroy
but how can we concentrate
on methods of malcontent
when god sits at our breakfast table?
urging
as father urges child
"get up!"
"move on!"
"stand on two feet!"
"breath child!"
he tolls the bell
as we lay on deaf ears
he loosens ties with anger
as the path warns and wears
thrusting
driving this cosmic ship
of no loses
only tiny
arrogant setbacks
and he smiles
for he knows
what we yet
have to find...
and all is well.

As she stopped atop the terraced stairs
her tiny ,yet sensual figure .seemed to take on a glow
This beautiful woman, daughter of mine
Was shining ,like a glistening gemstone of varying hues
And all living things around her seemed to stop their daily chores
And breath in her angelic beauty.
She stood radiant in her snow-white glory. unaware of her glow
Her long gauzy veil moved gently , ever so slightly
As a breeze passed and uttered a sigh of admiration.
The sun beamed down warmly as the puffy clouds paused .
This was her day and all of nature stood enchanted
As she seemingly floated down each step with natural grace
All breathing seemed to stop , waiting for her entrance to complete
her smile, so radiant with love and delight, emitting her innate beauty
And the luminescent waters mirrored her beauty in natures surroundings.
She walked in beauty , harmonious with nature on that day
And all the Angels in the heavens stood enthralled, whispering softly
As she floated along the green of Summer's carpet
And the flowery petals opened wider to catch the colors of her beauty
And watch Christine, the most elegant of flowers , on her ceremonial day.

There's more to me than the color of my eyes
The way i smileor give a sigh
If you looked deeper within me
You may be amazed at what you see
I'm creative and imaginative
I care about the world in which we live
I believe in freedom and equal rights
Also quiet summer nights
I believe in unity and family ties
And the sounds of newborn cry's
The earth's new awakening,in spring
I read nonfiction to learn new things
So look past the surface and you will see
The person that is really me

Birds start to celebrate the first day
a breath of tepid air announces Spring.
For it means that She is on Her way,
heralded by the cheerful songs they sing.
Time triggers an extension of light
and like a star She struts center stage.
For the moment is finally right
to subdue Winter in all Her rage.
She thaws the rivers that flood and ebb,
creating scenes from which dreams are spun.
And sprinkles dew on a wobbly web
of silver strands caressed by the sun.
She’s as soft as a scent on a breeze,
or a smile upon a baby's lips.
And arouses the flowers and leaves,
brewing nectar the honey bee sips.
Radiant as moonbeams on water,
She's refreshing as a mountain stream.
And as befitting Nature's daughter,
She caresses your heart like a dream.

The impressionist's young daughter
stands poised before an open door
Occupied in thought she wears
a red apron much darker
than her hair with a pony tail,
then a revelation stirs her curiosity-
outside trees are frosted with snow.
The chilly breeze swiftly enters and makes
the long curtains behind her flutter;
it feels colder than the Iceland wind,
Hesitant, she stays inside in the warmth.
Inside the room, her mom
smudges pastels onto
drawing. The child watched.
Mom captured her daughter's
wonderment in each chalked line.
Upon completion, child and
and painting; are compared;
the child won't be
able to distinguish
impressionism from realism.
The artist sought- after and
amply admiring this work
for the right- other sights
for her chosen colors
and creative images. Her hand
gave life to seasonal
landscapes, or blank faces
which stare straight at us
with an air of mystery.
From a background gloomy or gaudy-
they make us feel a sense of suspense.
.